While every sapphic is certainly unique, there’s a few classic experiences that nearly every queer woman seems to have gone through. Who hasn’t fallen for their best friend? Or gotten a dramatic haircut immediately upon coming out? Some events are practically WLW canon. But there’s one experience that, while classically queer, sometimes we wish wasn’t: having your heart absolutely shattered into tiny pieces by the tragic ending of a lesbian movie. And while we recognize that love stories that represent that the sometimes-difficult reality of being queer, the whole “bury your gays” trope has been done to death (pun very much intended).
If you're still feeling heartbroken over the end of Killing Eve or Portrait of a Lady on Fire all these years later, it’s time to indulge in some lesbian love that ends sapphically ever after.
10 sapphic love stories that have a happy ending
These are our favorite queer and lesbian romance stories with a happy ending, from books and audiobooks to TV shows. And we promise, no Carol-level cliffhangers.
Novel by Bridget Morrissey
Turns out you're never too old for a summer camp romance or a change of heart. When a divorced woman attends a sleepaway camp for adults only, she reconnects with a man from her past—only to catch feelings for his sister instead.
2. Cleat Cute
Novel by Meryl Wilsner
A sapphic enemies-to-lovers romance where two soccer teammates are at odds before falling in love as their team gears up for the World Cup.
Audiobook by Dipsea
An LGBTQ adaptation of the myth of Artemis, this spicy audiobook retells the ancient story with a much queerer and happier ending. With four chapters that are under 15 minutes each, it’s like listening to a captivating short film with a happily ever after at the end. Available on the Dipsea app.
Audiobook by Dipsea
While studying abroad in Dublin, Irene became fast friends with Caitlin. She secretly wondered if their relationship was something more than platonic, but she couldn’t work up the nerve to ask. Eight years later, she returns to Ireland for work and finally has her chance to find out...but then she discovers both of them are dating someone else.
5. Feel Good
TV show on Netflix
In this Netflix show, a standup comic navigates a passionate, messy new relationship with her girlfriend George while dealing with the difficulties of getting sober. While there’s some real struggle in the show, it ends on a note of romantic triumph for the main character.
TV show on Amazon Prime Video
In 1943, Carson Shaw travels to Chicago to try out for the All American Girls Professional Baseball League. For the first time, she meets other women who also dream of playing pro baseball and makes connections that open up her world…and her heart.
Audiobook on Dipsea
A thoroughly modern take on LGBT romance in the Regency era. Charlotte and Willa are young women on the cusp of being presented to society, yet neither is particularly interested in the life that’s expected of them. When they’re paired for painting lessons, they find kinship in their shared independent streak and pay more attention to each other than the feminine arts. As they grow closer, they get bolder in the risks they’ll take to be together.
Movie on Amazon Prime Video
Based on the novel Fingersmith by Sarah Waters, a woman is hired as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress, but secretly she is involved in a plot to defraud her. It’s a LGBT psychological thriller meets romance movie with plenty of plot twists and a surprise happily ever after.
Movie on Amazon Prime Video
Natasha Lyonne stars as Megan Bloomfield, a high school cheerleader whose parents send her to a residential in-patient conversion therapy camp to "cure" her lesbianism. At camp, Megan realizes that she is indeed a lesbian and, despite the "therapy", comes to embrace her sexuality.
10. Happiest Season
Movie on Hulu
A Holiday Rom-Com starring Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis, about being true to yourself. The movie follows Abby who plans to propose to her girlfriend Harper during Harper's family's annual holiday celebration. However, complications arise when Abby discovers that Harper has not yet come out to her conservative family. It’s a queer spin on classic Christmas romantic comedy and a perfect watch for the holiday season.
Find more sapphically ever afters
Being queer is often fun, celebratory, romantic, and happy. We all deserve stories where we get to see a sapphic journey end in the joy that reflects our hopes and dreams.
Need more WLW stories with an ending that doesn’t leave you crying ugly tears? Check out Dipsea—we’re the app for original spicy audiobooks and more with tags to see queer storylines starring lesbian couples.
Queer Romance
Celebrate queer love with our collection of LGBTQ+ romance audiobooks.
Or download the Dipsea app for the best listening experience.
